Many of the Cory-Rawson fourth and fifth grade students spent their Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at STEM camp. 

Preservice teachers from Bowling Green State University worked alongside Cory-Rawson staff to host the event that included a day of challenges related to mathematics, science, and engineering.

Cory-Rawson Local Schools will induct the inaugural class of its Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, February 9, 2024. The purpose of the district’s Hall of Fame is to recognize graduates of Cory-Rawson, Mount Cory, or Rawson High Schools whose achievements have impacted the region, state, nation, and world. The three 2024 inductees include Melana A. Maxie (Class of 1983), Jason E. Searfoss (Class of 1990), and Tara C. Welch Smith (Class of 1994). 

The induction events include an assembly introducing the inductees to the high school students and staff and a presentation during halftime of the high school varsity basketball game that evening. The generosity of various donors made the Hall of Fame possible. 

Melana A. Maxie graduated from Purdue University in 1987 with a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Her career in the aerospace defense industry focused on structural analysis, store certification, and weapons integration on the F-16 and F-35 aircrafts. When Melana retired in 2017 she was the F-35 Weapons Integration and Certification Manager, where she ensured all required data was gathered and submitted to the U.S. Government to support certification that all weapons could be safely loaded, carried, and employed on all three variants of the F-35. 

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Creator of a Michelin-starred restaurant. World traveler who has researched the cuisines of the Middle East and North Africa. Entrepreneur from Ada, Ohio. That’s Rose Previte, daughter of Jeanne and Peter Previte.

Rose is making news these days with her first cookbook, Maydān: Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond. Having established three restaurants in the Washington D.C. area, she is now sharing favorite recipes with home cooks. Her recent book tour included stops on network news as well as at Greenhorn restaurant in Bluffton.

Lauren Phillips, RN, has received the first DAISY Award at Blanchard Valley Health System.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring nurses who have made a special difference in the lives of their patients. 

The December student of the month at Bluffton High School is Cole Bowers, a senior with a 4.000 GPA. Cole is the son of John and Amanda Bowers of Bluffton.

Cole is very active at school, participating in drama club, choir (symphonic, chamber and show choirs), band (concert, marching and jazz bands), string orchestra, Academic Team, National Honor Society, the Four Guys and a Gal quartet and the BHS Gaming club.

He received multiple awards in Esports for: Smash Bros. MVP 2023, Smash Bros. Playmaker 2022, Valorant Most Improved in 2023 and Smash Bros. Coaches choice in 2022.

Cole is also a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop #256 where he received an Eagle Scout award. 

He currently takes CCP courses through Rhodes State College for Algebra and Trigonometry and at Findlay University he is in College Writing (via Bluffton High School),  General Psychology, and Healthcare Ethics. 

John-Paul Yoder named to 2023 All Tournament Team

Bluffton took home top honors at the 2023 Northwest Conference Scholastic Bowl Tournament held Friday, December 15, at The Ohio State University at Lima. Van Wert County rivals Crestview and Lincolnview tied for runner-up in the varsity division. Spencerville won the junior varsity division and Lincolnview took home runner-up.

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